Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
Tvo xa 1 ® olj 'd <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING JUNETEENTH 2O24 <br /> WHEREAS , Juneteenth , observed on June 19 , is a day of historical significance , <br /> commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Texas in 1865 , following <br /> the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 ; and <br /> WHEREAS , the Emancipation Proclamation marked a critical milestone in the fight for <br /> freedom , declaring the end of slavery in Cfedttrolled d layi on erae - con areas an ng the <br /> groundwork for the eventual abolition of slavery nationwide with the passage of the Thirteenth <br /> Amendment to the United States Constitution ; and <br /> WHEREAS , despite the formal abolition of slavery , the journey to complete emancipation <br /> has been fraught with challenges due to those who wished to continue the practice of holding <br /> human beings as property ; and <br /> WHEREAS , although the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1 , 1863 , it was <br /> not until June 19 , 1865 — Juneteenth — when U . S . Maj . Gen . Gordon Granger arrived in <br /> Galveston , Texas , and issued General Order No . 3 , announcing the end to the war and the <br /> captivity of those who had been enslaved , that the news reached all enslaved African <br /> Americans ; and <br /> WHEREAS , Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of <br /> slavery in the United States ; and <br /> WHEREAS , in 1866 , they held parades and barbecues and gave speeches in remembrance <br /> of their liberation . The oldest of the surviving formerly enslaved people were often given a <br /> place of honor and initially used these gatherings to attempt to locate family members from <br /> whom they had been separated , and soon these events became staging areas for family <br /> reunions and an opportunity to uplift each other as they moved through hostile environments ; <br /> and <br /> WHEREAS , we recognize that there is still progress that must be made to dismantle the <br /> insidious systems and practices that continue to harm African Americans and deny them <br /> access to the rights and resources to which they are entitled , Juneteenth serves as a pivotal <br /> reminder of the resilience and courage of African Americans as they endured unimaginable <br /> hardship and injustices yet remain steadfast in their pursuit of freedom and equality ; and <br /> WHEREAS , the resilience and determination displayed by African Americans in the face of <br /> oppression serve as an enduring testament to the human spirit and the innate desire for <br /> liberty and dignity ; and <br /> WHEREAS , Juneteenth is a celebration of liberation , unity , and hope , reminding us of the <br /> importance of acknowledging and confronting the painful truths of our past while embracing <br /> the promise of a more just and equitable future ; and <br /> WHEREAS , Juneteenth serves as a powerful symbol of progress and resilience , inspiring us <br /> to continue the fight for justice and equality for all and to honor the contributions and legacy <br /> of African Americans in shaping the fabric of our nation ; and <br />